17
Jan
2023
Watch
Implementation of the common foreign and security policy - annual report 2022 - Implementation of the common security and defence policy - annual report 2022 (debate)
Madam President, High Commissioner, I would like to congratulate the rapporteurs for the CFSP and CSDP reports, Mr McAllister and Mr Vandenkendelaere, for their excellent work. They managed to cover a very challenging year from a foreign and security perspective. Our security has been directly challenged. A new war has emerged in our neighbourhood. China continues to play an assertive role in the Pacific. As the report rightly states, we need stronger EU-NATO cooperation and updated European Peace Facility and a boost for our relations with international partners. Regarding the Western Balkans, the EU stepped up its engagement on the enlargement agenda and I very warmly welcome the decision to grant candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a peace and security decision as well. However, this candidate status is not the end of the ride, but should stimulate the domestic leaders to speed up the reform process. Because even after the welcome change of the electoral law last October, Croats still don’t have their elected representative with the Presidency – and that affects the voting. Don’t forget the voting in the UN when they abstained on a crucial European security issue and the vote against Iran, damaging policy. As mentioned in the CSFP report, it is time to show the principles of equality and non-discrimination for all citizens and constituent people as enshrined in the country’s constitution. That is a major security issue, Mr High Representative.